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A fifth-degree black belt in the revolutionary martial art of aikido and co-owner of an aikido school in Mill Valley, California, George Leonard is, "the granddaddy of the consciousness movement" (Newsweek). Leonard is president of the Esalen Institute and founder of Leonard Energy Training (LET), a practice inspired by aikido that offers alternative ways of coping with everyday issues. In this book he applies ancient techniques, physical and spiritual, to the battles we wage every day in both our public and private lives. Along the way, Leonard shows us unique and effective ways to cope with sudden, often brutal, setbacks in our lives--and turn them into gifts for growth; develop ki, or positive energy, to enhance vitality; use the aikido principle of "blending" to deal with verbal and psychological attacks.

Since I've begun the art, the spiritual aspects of aikido have filled my interest. In this flavorful, brilliant book, George Leonard Sensei has brought the most fundamental and important aikido principles to light. He has incorporated the ideals of centeredness, protecting the attacker, and meditation. Leonard Sensei broke new ground in these topics while reminding us that we are "always under the sword," that is, always in the face of danger though we aikidoka are calm and always within the source. Drew Gardner

This is an autobiographical look at the changes that some Aikidoka experience on the path. It covers a very interesting period in Aikido history in through the earlier stages of it's introduction to America, with some very humorous and eye-opening glimpses into what the art has survived to get where it's at. It also delves into what some people don't like to talk about: the spiritual awakenings that Aikido can bring. There are times when there is much talk of energy work and such, but in this book it never once comes accrost as hippie mumbo-jumbo. It's always treated with a great deal of respect, and discussed in a very atypically pragmatic fashion. Good book from start to finish, and there's certainly some lessons to be learned here.

I found this book to be an easy and informative read. The chapter on blending on and off the mat made the transition from Dojo to everyday events very smooth and understandable. Another must read book for Aikido students and nonstudents searching for the mysteries of Ki. Ron R

I borrowed this book form a friend and very much enjoyed it. In a lot of ways it was useful for me as a beginner to know what to expect in the upcoming days as I began to learn. I especially liked its application to daily life and the chapters on centering, Ki and blending.